The funny thing to this debate is that homeschooling or public schooling shouldn't be performed because a few people say it's good/bad. It really depends on the individuals specific needs and wants.

The socialization problem that seems to pop up frequently into this post is not because of the type of schooling but how much exposure to other human beings there is. Without regular human contact a child can't be expected to naturally be good at socializing with others. In one way I do think public schools are more beneficial in the socialization aspect to your children, however with homeschooling it really depends on how much effort you put into it. Going to sporting events, church groups, doing volunteer work, public places such as parks, etc all assist in the development of your child's social ability.

Thus, social ability must be worked for and will not just naturally come from nowhere. This is why it is impossible to determine which schooling system works best because it all depends on the effort put into it._________________Learn The Amazing New Breakthrough to Homeschool Children. Reveal UNKNOWN Strategies, Tips And Tricks That Experts Have Been HIDING For Years... For a free e-course webinar go to: http://www.childrenhomeschooling.com

Public schooling is geared towards the average, meaning the bottom and top x% are mostly going to get the short end of the stick. The way things are right now, however, even range in the middle is getting the short end of the stick, since the public school system centralized some time back into massive schools of thousands of students and class sizes of 40+. Larger class sizes directly correlate to worse academic performance. So does having to get up earlier, which is a result of having to be bused further. And the teacher's unions make it virtually impossible to get rid of even the most blatantly incompetent teachers - they're just shuffled around rather than actually fired.

Yes, there are some children who do better in a school setting. However, I rather doubt it's a public school setting. Public schools have no accountability and virtually no competition for funding, therefore there's no motivation to improve._________________Homeschool Articles - Events - Support Groups

HomeSchooling makes a child cut off from the social world making them unaware of the social circle & so I personal am against home schooling.

Well, I can see where you are coming from, but if the homeschooler really wants to have friends and experience the social world, he will try to and will succeed. Many activities, clubs, sports, etc. are offered and it is only the responsibility of the homeschooling family to take advantage of them._________________"Lay down true principles and adhere to them inflexibly. Do not be frightened into their surrender."
~Thomas Jefferson

Last edited by naturalist4 on Tue Dec 28, 2010 1:22 pm; edited 1 time in total

HomeSchooling makes a child cut off from the social world making them unaware of the social circle & so I personal am against home schooling.

I definitely cannot see where you are coming from. Why does homeschooling cut of a child from the social world? The ONLY time that happens is if the parent chooses to cut their children off.

I do not yet homeschool. I have the paperwork sitting here on my desk, waiting for my signature. I only hesitate because I work from home. All of my reasons for waiting start with "I". I might not be patient enough. I might not get my work done. I might not have enough time.

I remind people who throw the socialization arguement in my face that when my children started school, they had not been "socialized" by public school or any institutional setting. However, they were more adept at speaking to every age and economic level and about most subjects than any of the "socialized" public school children were.

Why? I take an interest in my children and an interest in their interests. I model interactions with friends and strangers. When they are uncomfortable with a certain future scenario, we role play to make them more comfortable for an upcoming social event.

We visit museums and involve ourselves in interest groups. My girls are 6 and 7. Their grammar is impeccable and their vocabulary is well beyond their grade level.

It is because I notice. I take the time to correct and lead. I sometimes put them in situations requiring a more mature mind and then prepare them before and "debrief" them after about how it felt, whether they want to go again, what would have made them feel better about it, etc.

It's not homeschooling that causes a social detachment. It's the individual homeschooler/teacher. Each.and.every.time._________________Jene' Earnest
WAHM to AnnMaree (7) and Georgia (6)
www.mymangosteen.com/whynotnow

"Homeschool graduates are active and involved in their communities. Seventy-one percent participate in an ongoing community service activity (e.g., coaching a sports team, volunteering at a school, or working with a church or neighborhood association), compared to 37% of U.S. adults of similar ages (Table 2). Eighty-eight percent of the homeschool graduates surveyed were members of an organization (e.g., such as a community group, church or synagogue, union, homeschool group, or professional organization), compared to 50% of U.S. adults."

I am a new member. I have a question about home schooling. I hope someone explain about it to me. When they are in middle school, how does a homeschooled child's mom teach different subjects? Isn't it hard for one person to have expertise in different subjects?

As long as you can stay a lesson or two ahead of your child, you're good to go. Homeschooling doesn't require being a genius or even remembering everything you studied 20 years ago. For that matter, children can mostly study on their own after the 4th grade or so, though for writing at least it helps a lot to be able to make corrections._________________Homeschool Articles - Events - Support Groups

The socialization problem that seems to pop up frequently into this post is not because of the type of schooling but how much exposure to other human beings there is. Without regular human contact a child can't be expected to naturally be good at socializing with others. In one way I do think public schools are more beneficial in the socialization aspect to your children, however with homeschooling it really depends on how much effort you put into it. Going to sporting events, church groups, doing volunteer work, public places such as parks, etc all assist in the development of your child's social ability.

So, parents and siblings do not count as "human beings"...?

I just wanted to point out that every child has human contact with at least one person, usually more... Why wouldn't that count at all?

And some say schools actually have more of a detrimental effect to socialization, rather than beneficial...

This has probably already been stated, but the basic problem with people being against homeschooling is that they think that they (or the government) have the right to tell other people how best to raise their kids. This is a socialist notion, anti-American, anti-freedom.

And I agree with others who have stated the many benefits of homeschooling, which actually prove the opposite of the initial poster's argument._________________Josh
SoCal
www.christianhomeschoolstore.com

Actually free education is socialist but the one sided dumbing down from corporate america is not. Corporations need slaves and the present public education does just that. It teaches one to follow ,not think and seek knowledge on your own. What is going on now is the privatization of the public schools by demonizing teachers and teachers unions. http://www.socialism.org.uk/manifesto/education.html
If keeping kids comfortable only with their age group is socialization then no thanks. My kids can hold a conversation with an adult or a child. That is how the real world works , all ages mix.
If one can manage to give up the worldly draw to home educate then they are doing the best for their child. If they must send them to PS then supplement with home education. It never has to be either or.

Um. The schools are definitely being taken over by socialists and communists, but the last entities promoting that are going to be corporations, who stand to lose more and more money as taxes rise and costs increase, then get "bailed out" and effectively nationalized by the government. The teachers' unions are a different matter - they're only interested in retaining power, and the best way to do that is support the liberal agenda, which these days means socialism and dumbing down students until they're incapable of thinking for themselves. Unions in general are hurting us more than they're helping, in manufacturing nearly as much as in education._________________Homeschool Articles - Events - Support Groups

Homeschool is far superior than public school in terms of the quality and quantity of learning done, all without being tormented by the bullies, racists and socially exclusive gangs of children who made my children feel so wretched.

Im so sorry that this person did not appreciate the homeschool experience provided by their parents, but every homeschooled child I know loves the freedom it gives them.

When I took my child out of school she had been traumatised by bullies, excluded and let down by teachers. Now she is happy, secure and fulfilling her potential.

I think most all of us would agree that this is really a personal preference. My children love homeschooling, are very socialized through sports and church activities. Connections are important and even more so if you are homeschooling!_________________Homeschooling four
with the help of Mom SCHOOL
and staying healthy with Mom FITNESS!

Being new to this board, I just wanted to share my own experience with the “social isolation” that many people point to as a reason to be against homeschooling. I am one of the increasing number of homeschoolers who sought to escape from the terrible social environment of their public school by getting out of the school system.

I was one of those children that went to public school from K-8. Before entering public school, I was a very social child (a real attention seeker). Unfortunately, the environment of my elementary and middle school successfully destroyed that part of me. In elementary school I was still social and managed to have quite a few friends, but the teachers were so harsh and cold in their dealing with their students that I often felt fearful when attending certain classes. Once I entered middle school, the bullying started (being obese and a pre-teen is a horrible combination). During those three years at middle school, I not only hated school but I also hated being around anyone my own age. I was actually the one who went to my parents and asked them to homeschool me instead of forcing me to go to high school.

Therefore, instead of going to high school, I spent two years getting a great education from my mother. I was also able to be in a positive environment that nurtured my pursuit to lose weight . Overall, I learned to believe in myself and love myself. I then went on to receive my GED and attend classes at a local community college. So many great things came out of being at that community college for a couple years. I was able to rediscover my outgoing nature and now I have great friends (my own age).

Public school is just a distant nightmare I try not to think about too often. There are just too many scars the experience caused._________________Never be ashamed of taking the unconventional route